Woman Tearful as she Faces Charge for Falsifying Birth Information
October 13 2025
A 28-year-old Venezuelan national, who has been living and working in Guyana for several years was on Friday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer a charge of conspiracy to falsify registration information.
The defendant, Zulianny Maria Ledera, of D.D. Bent Street, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the allegation was read to her with the assistance of a Spanish interpreter.
It is alleged that between July 1 and September 27, 2004, Ledera conspired with another person to make a false declaration on a registration form, claiming that she was born in Guyana, despite knowing the statement to be false.
Ledera, who has been employed as a waitress at Palm Court for the past three years, was represented by Attorney-at-Law Stacy Goodings.
During the proceedings, the young woman appeared visibly distraught and broke down in tears as the charge was explained in Spanish.
When asked to enter a plea, she repeatedly responded “no,” according to the translator, but struggled to formally indicate whether she was admitting or denying the charge.
After a lengthy pause, the magistrate entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
In making an application for bail, Attorney Goodings told the court that her client has been residing in Guyana for the past seven years and denied any involvement in the alleged offence.
The attorney noted that Ledera is a tenant and holds a tenancy agreement, although some of her documents could not be immediately found by her partner.
The magistrate inquired whether the accused possessed any form of legal identification or residency documents, but none were presented during the hearing.
Goodings asked that her client be granted reasonable bail, noting that she is gainfully employed and has built strong ties within the community.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate McGusty granted bail in the sum of $150,000.
Ledera was also ordered to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters on the second and fourth Monday of each month until the conclusion of the matter.
The case has been adjourned to November 7.
